Alice Clara Melville

Alice C. Melville, 91 of Moorhead, Minnesota formerly of Devils Lake, ND died of kidney failure on Friday, November 16, 2007 at the home of her son, Jim and his wife, Sandy of Moorhead, who had so lovingly cared for her with the help of Hospice these past months. Funeral Services for Alice will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church two hours prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Alice will be her grandchildren, Tim Melville, Tary Melville, Tamy Kraft, Kara Kujawa and Kory Hessling. Music will be provided by Patty Cote. Alice Clara was born on November 24, 1915, the daughter of Carl and Anna (Jamtvold) Peterson in Aure, Minnesota was she was reared and educated. Alice later attended New York Hairdressing Academy in Fargo and was a licensed beautician. On September 30, 1934, Alice was united in marriage to Leslie B. Melville in Bemidji, Minnesota where they established their home until 1948. They then lived for a time in Akeley, Park Rapids and Fargo for a year, moving to Devils Lake in 1955. After moving to Devils Lake, Alice worked for her Aunt Jo Thompson at Bonnie’s Beauty Studio. She took ownership when Aunt Jo retired and she later sold the shop to Mae Keogh. In the 1970’s, Alice opened Alice’s Beauty Nook in her home at 839 4th Avenue. Leslie died in December of 1982. Alice moved to an assisted living facility in Moorhead in November of 2005. Alice belonged to St. Olaf Lutheran Church and was a circle member. Alice was very active in sports including bowling, curling and especially golf. She enjoyed playing cards and working with yarn and thread. She was an avid reader and always had time to help others. Alice also loved spending time working in her garden. Alice and Les enjoyed spending their winters in Edinburg, Texas for many years. They also enjoyed many other trips throughout their lives. Alice truly enjoyed her family and adored the grandchildren. She will be missed very much by her family and friends. Alice is survived by her children: James Melville and his wife, Sandy of Moorhead Sandra Hessling and her husband, Richard of Grand Forks, ND Grandchildren: Tary (Paula) Melville, Tamy (Todd) Kraft, Tim (Gail) Melville, Kory (Brenda) Hessling and Kara (Tim) Kujawa. Seventeen Great Grandchildren; Jeremy, Taryn, Chaz, Mikayla, Daynea, Tracy, Mindy, Ricky, Danny, Jose, Moises, Patrick, T.J., Kris, Robin, Hilary and Timothy. Five Great Great Grandchildren: Torrie, Austin, Cody, Cali and Ethan Sisters: Pearl Pederson and her husband, Helmer of Bemidji Irene Coleman of Mt. Iron, Minnesota Sisters-In-Law: Adele Peterson and Marie Lorenson Several nieces and nephews and their families also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Charles Moller; husband, Leslie; brothers, Bennie, Jim, Orlie and Alvin Peterson; sister, Gladys Indahl; brothers-in-law, Irving Indahl and Warren Coleman; sister-in-law, Ruth Peterson. The family requests that memorials be directed to Hospice of the Red River Valley in memory of Alice Melville.